The Rip Curl GromSearch, one of the most exciting youth surfing events in North America, returns for 2026. Now in its 27th year, GromSearch continues to be a premier platform for surfers under 16—the next generation of talent pushing the sport forward.

Founded by Rip Curl legend Doug Warbrick in 1999, GromSearch was created to discover and develop young surfers at the grassroots level. Over the years, it has helped launch the careers of some of the sport’s biggest names, including Stephanie Gilmore, Caroline Marks, Gabriel Medina, Erin Brooks, and Mason Ho.

The 2026 North America GromSearch is proudly presented by Flexfit, with support from an incredible lineup of partners including Sun Bum, YETI, FCS, Banzai Bowls, Ritual Vision, Hawaiian Airlines, and Lost. Together, these brands share Rip Curl’s passion for surf culture and the development of young athletes, helping create an unforgettable experience at every stop.

This year’s series will travel to some of North America’s most iconic surf destinations:

• Tofino, Canada
• Huntington Beach, California
• Oʻahu, Hawaii
• Ocean City, New Jersey
  

Top competitors from each stop will earn their place in the National Final, where the best of the best will battle it out for the 2026 title.

More than just a competition, GromSearch is about building community. Each event brings together young surfers, families, industry leaders, and partners in an environment that celebrates progression, creativity, and connection—both in and out of the water.

As we transition to Flowstate this year, please see below for guidance on setting up parent/child accounts:

To register your child using your email address, you must first create a Flowstate account under your name, then link your child’s profile(s) as sub-accounts.

1. Create Primary Account: Visit https://flowstate.zone/en/login and create an account under your name
2. Access Profile Settings:
   - Desktop: Click the user icon (top right)
   - Mobile: Go to “My Zone” → menu (top right)
3. Select “Edit Profile”
4. In the “Linked Accounts” section, click “Add” (scroll if using mobile)
5. Enter Child’s Information to create their competitor profile
6. Click “Create” to link the account
7. Repeat for additional children if needed
   

Once the competitor profile is set up and linked, registration can be completed.

Flowstate Support (for registration help):
Email: support@flowstate.zone
WhatsApp: +1 555 741 9101
Live Chat: https://flowstate.zone/en/about-us

For all non-Flowstate-related questions, please contact Rip Curl Community Marketing Manager, Madeleine Blackwell, at madeleine.blackwell@ripcurl.com.